Mrs. J. M. Patten,
403 The Ontario,
Washington
D. C.





West Park, N. Y.
May 22, 1920
Dear Mrs. Patten,
Several days before your letter
came I had made up my mind I could not go to Washing-
ton this spring, so I am not put out by the condition
of your domestic affairs, though I should like much
to see you all.
I am not very well and shrink from the thought
of any long journey at this time.  Maybe, as you sug-
gest, I can go in the fall, in October.  We expect to go
to California again in the winter, starting probably in
November.
I am inclosing a copy of "Waiting" for you.  I
am sorry we have not a better paper on which to write
it, and are not where we can get any.
I wish I were going to Maine this summer as I did
a few years ago, but the probabilities are I shall stay
at Woodchuck Lodge.
I have explained somewhere in my books why the
robins assault the windows in the way you describe.  I
have seen them do it many times.  They see their own
images reflected there and suppose they are fighting a
rival.  It is only against windows that look into a
darkened room that they do this.  If you will put up
something white against the window on the inside, you
will see that the assault will cease.
Affectionate regards to you all,
Your friend,
John Burroughs